Darlington residents offered greener and healthier travel advice

Residents in new build homes across Darlington are being offered free advice to help them travel greener, healthier and cheaper as part of a Tees Valley wide project.

From Tuesday 29th January through to the end of March Let’s Go Tees Valley travel advisors are visiting new build homes across Darlington, Hurworth, Middleton St George and School Aycliffe along with existing homes in Red Hall, with information on travel options. This free service provides residents with free travel information including bus services, rail travel, walking and cycling maps.

Councillor Nick Wallis, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Local Environment said: “We have delivered personalised travel planning to residents in Darlington for over 10 years through the Let’s Go Tees Valley project, formerly known as Local Motion. This personalised travel planning encourages residents to consider walking or cycling for shorter journeys. If we can increase the levels of walking and cycling the benefits are substantial; cheaper travel and better health, and for our community it leads to less congestion, better air quality and a more vibrant active Darlington.”

The Let’s Go Tees Valley Travel Advisors will also make regular visits to Darlington Job Centre for drop-in sessions. People for whom transport is a barrier to finding work are urged to get in touch.

The travel advisors will direct residents to free services like those provided by Bike Stop – the Darlington Active Travel Hub in Skinnergate, which provides advice and information about cycling and walking in the borough as well as guided walks and bike rides, maintenance courses and route planning.

“This is a great opportunity for residents and people working in Darlington to travel healthier and cheaper by leaving their cars at home for local journeys.” Says Alex Kay, Sustainable Transport Officer from Let’s Go Tees Valley. “We are particularly interested in reaching job seekers to help them access transport into employment. We have had many successes across the rest of the Tees Valley helping job seekers access employment after a conversation with a Let’s Go Tees Valley travel advisor.”